Voting Underway for Manjalpur Assembly Bypoll in Vadodara

Vadodara: Voting for the by-election to the vacant Manjalpur Assembly seat began at 7 am on Thursday, with the Election Commission introducing several first-time measures, including mobile phone deposit centres for voters, rain-proof polling infrastructure, and 100% live webcasting across all polling stations. The counting of votes will take place on August 3.

Update at 1:30 pm: Approximate voter turnout as of 1 pm, according to the ECI, is 21.66%.

Update at 11:30 am: Approximate voter turnout as of 11 am, according to the ECI, is 14.27%.

For the first time, voters are required to leave their mobile phones at designated deposit counters set up outside polling stations, as carrying mobile phones inside polling booths is prohibited. District Election Officer and Collector Anil Dhameliya said the initiative has been introduced to facilitate smooth and hassle-free polling.

The Election Commission has set up 260 polling stations, where a total of 2,19,494 eligible voters are exercising their franchise.

The bypoll was necessitated following the death of senior BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Yogesh Patel. The contest is a direct fight between BJP candidate Satish Patel and Congress nominee Bhikha Rabari.

Keeping the monsoon season in mind, the administration has also made elaborate contingency arrangements. Rain shelters, waterproof tents, and dedicated queue management teams have been deployed at polling stations, while dewatering pumps have been kept ready at locations vulnerable to waterlogging.

To enhance transparency, all 260 polling stations are being monitored through 100% live webcasting using 520 cameras, with real-time surveillance from the control room at the Collector’s office. Micro-observers have also been deployed at selected sensitive polling stations.

In addition to polling personnel, staff have been stationed at dispatch and receiving centres responsible for handling electronic voting machines (EVMs) and other election materials. DeshGujarat